Michigan Real Estate Academy Blog

Whether you are ready to start your career in residential or commercial real estate sales, it all starts with the same real estate salesperson's licensing process. This is an overview of the licensing process with helpful links to more specific information about each step.

Step 1:Complete 40 hours of pre-licensure education

Step 2: Apply for a license

Step 3: Receive authorization to test

Step 4: Schedule your PSI state exam

Step 5: Take and pass your PSI exam

Step 6: Maintain your license

Step 1: Complete Pre-licensure Education

The State of Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) requires you to take 40 hours of real estate fundamental education before you can sit for your licensing exam. You may complete the 40 hours in a live classroom setting or online. There are advantages to both. If you have never taken a class online however, we recommend taking a live version. Typically, the information is completely new to you and it is helpful to have a live instructor with whom to discuss specific concepts as well as having the instructors describe the correlation between the text and real ife situations.

The application fee runs in line with the Continuing Education cycle and can be prorated, starting at $88. Your application and the associated fee is good for 1 year (if you have not successfully passed the state exam within 1 year, you will have to reapply and repay your fee). It can take 2-5 business days from the time of application for you to receive authorization to test.

When you apply, you may indicate who your employing broker will be. Then upon successful completion of the state test, LARA will mail your wall licsnse and picture pocket license to your employing broker who will then notify you.

If you do not have an employing broker yet, that is is just fine! You can still register, take, and pass the state test. You then have 1 year to submit your employing broker information before LARA requires you to retake the state test. Once you have an employing broker, they will need to verify your employment with LARA. The department will then mail your wall license and paper pocket license to your employing broker's main office.

Step 3: Receive Authorization to Test

LARA will send you authorization to test which includes a Candidate Michigan Real Estate (MIRE) Number as well as exam registration instructions. Psychological Services, Inc. (PSI) administers the Michigan Real Estate Licensing Exam. When you receive your MIRE you can go to PSIExams.com and register for your test. There is a testing fee of $76.

Step 4: Schedule Your PSI Exam

Using the contact information given in your MIRE email, you may schedule and pay for your exam. This MIRE number is not your license number. Its sole purpose is to schedule your exam. Your license application will remain in a “pending” status with the State of Michigan until your broker sponsorship is confirmed and you have taken and passed your exam.

Step 5: Take and Pass Your PSI Exam

If an employing broker is confirmed at least 48 business hours before your exam date, you will be eligible to receive the photo pocket license at the PSI Examination Site upon successful completion of your exam.

If not, here is the process for Subsequent Notification of an Employing Broker:

If you named a broker before you took the exam, but the broker did not approve it prior to your exam, your broker can still use LARA’s iCOLA website to verify your employment.

If you did not name an employing broker prior to passing the exam, the receipt of your photo pocket license and subsequent paper licenses will be delayed until the submission of a completed Employing Broker Notification form (BCS/LRE-052) to LARA.

Important! You must pass the exam within 1 year of applying for the license or the license fee paid to LARA on iCOLA will expire.

Step 6: Maintain Your License

Continuing Education and License Renewal

A licensee shall complete at least 18 hours of Continuing Education per 3-year license cycle. During each year in the 3-year license cycle, a total of 6 hours must be taken; 2 of which need to be dedicated to legal updates. Once you are licensed, please note in which year of the 3-year license cycle you acquired your license. This dictates how many Continuing Education hours you will need to renew:

Year Licensed

1st year (7/1/15-10/31/16) 2nd year (11/1/16-10/31/17) 3rd year (11/1/17-7/31/18)